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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Elementary Education

1,208 Ranked Colleges
$19,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major” ranking.

Elementary Education is the 17th most popular major in the country with 42,862 degrees awarded in 2021-2022.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major” ranking, we looked at 1,208 colleges that offer a degree in elementary education. That schools that top this list have a program in elementary education in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for elementary teaching students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Elementary Education

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wendell, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Elementary Education at Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College

2
SCC crest
Stone Child College
Box Elder, Montana

Out of the 1,208 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Stone Child College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Box Elder, Montana, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full SCC Elementary Education Report

3
College of the Marshall Islands crest
College of the Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands

Out of the 1,208 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major that were part of this year’s ranking, College of the Marshall Islands landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Majuro, Marshall Islands, this small public school awarded 59 diplomas to qualified ’s elementary teaching students in 2021-2022.

Read more about Elementary Education at College of the Marshall Islands

4
MLC crest
Martin Luther College
New Ulm, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Martin Luther College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. New Ulm, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s elementary teaching degrees to 64 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at MLC

5
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College of Menominee Nation
Keshena, Wisconsin

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Menominee Nation. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. College of Menominee Nation is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Keshena, Wisconsin. It awarded 5 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full CMN Elementary Education Report

6
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Blue Mountain College
Blue Mountain, Mississippi

With a ranking of #6, Blue Mountain College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Blue Mountain, Mississippi. It awarded 31 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Blue Mountain College

7
Valley City State University crest
Valley City State University
Valley City, North Dakota

Valley City State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. Valley City State University is a small school located in Valley City, North Dakota that handed out 115 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Valley City State University

8
Boricua College crest
Boricua College
New York, New York

With a ranking of #8, Boricua College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Boricua College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 30 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Boricua College

9

Whitworth University - Adult Degree Programs did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking, coming in at #9. Whitworth University - Adult Degree Programs is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Whitworth University - Adult Degree Programs

9

Allegheny Wesleyan College ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Allegheny Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salem, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Allegheny Wesleyan

11
Medaille crest
Medaille College
Buffalo, New York

Medaille College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking, coming in at #11. Medaille College is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 126 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Medaille College Elementary Education Report

12
Hobe Sound Bible College crest
Hobe Sound Bible College
Hobe Sound, Florida

Hobe Sound Bible College ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Hobe Sound Bible College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hobe Sound, Florida. It awarded 7 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Hobe Sound Bible College

13

Blackfeet Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. Blackfeet Community College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Browning, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Blackfeet Community College

14
Mayville State University crest
Mayville State University
Mayville, North Dakota

Mayville State University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Mayville State University is a public institution located in Mayville, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Elementary Education at Mayville State University

15
Crowley's Ridge College crest
Crowley's Ridge College
Paragould, Arkansas

Crowley’s Ridge College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. Crowley’s Ridge College is a small school located in Paragould, Arkansas that handed out 5 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Crowley’s Ridge College Elementary Education Report

16
Sinte Gleska University crest
Sinte Gleska University
Mission, South Dakota

Sinte Gleska University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking, coming in at #16. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school situated in Mission, South Dakota. It awarded 20 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Sinte Gleska University Elementary Education Report

17
Heritage University crest
Heritage University
Toppenish, Washington

Heritage University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. Heritage University is located in Toppenish, Washington and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 61 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Heritage University

18
University of West Alabama crest
University of West Alabama
Livingston, Alabama

University of West Alabama came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, Alabama and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 311 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of West Alabama Elementary Education Report

19
ASCC crest
American Samoa Community College
Pago Pago, American Samoa

American Samoa Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. American Samoa Community College is located in Pago Pago, American Samoa and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 25 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Elementary Education at ASCC

20

Trinity College of Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. This small school is located in Trinity, Florida, and it awarded 1 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Trinity College of Florida

21
Delta State University crest
Delta State University
Cleveland, Mississippi

Delta State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking, coming in at #21. Delta State University is a small school located in Cleveland, Mississippi that handed out 71 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Delta State University

22
Trinity Christian crest
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Trinity Christian College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. Trinity Christian is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Palos Heights, Illinois. It awarded 26 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Trinity Christian

23

With a ranking of #23, Georgia Southwestern State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. GSW is located in Americus, Georgia and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 212 ’s elementary teaching degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Georgia Southwestern State University Elementary Education Report

24

University of Wisconsin - Superior ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major list. UW - Superior is a small public school situated in Superior, Wisconsin. It awarded 86 ’s elementary teaching degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UW - Superior Elementary Education Report

25

Athens State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major ranking. Athens State University is a public institution located in Athens, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 142 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Elementary Education at Athens State University

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
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Sierra Nevada College
Incline Village, NV
29
30
Piedmont College crest
Piedmont College
Demorest, GA
31
32
33
SUNY Potsdam crest
SUNY Potsdam
Potsdam, NY
34
35
Lees - McRae College crest
Lees - McRae College
Banner Elk, NC
36
37
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39
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, IA
40
Edward Waters College crest
Edward Waters College
Jacksonville, FL
41
42
43
Blackburn crest
Blackburn College
Carlinville, IL
44
Warner University crest
Warner University
Lake Wales, FL
45
46
Paine College crest
Paine College
Augusta, GA
47
48
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Elementary Teaching Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51SUNY CortlandCortland, NY
52Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande, OR
53Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD
54Drury University - College of Continuing Professional StudiesSpringfield, MO
55Northern New Mexico CollegeEspanola, NM
56Newman UniversityWichita, KS
57College of Saint BenedictSaint Joseph, MN
58William Penn UniversityOskaloosa, IA
59East Texas Baptist UniversityMarshall, TX
60Arkansas State University Mid-SouthWest Memphis, AR
61Rockford UniversityRockford, IL
62Baptist Bible CollegeSpringfield, MO
63Linfield University - McMinnville CampusMcMinnville, OR
64Brenau UniversityGainesville, GA
65Metropolitan College of New YorkNew York, NY
RankCollegeLocation
66The Baptist College of FloridaGraceville, FL
67University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME
68SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY
69University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney, NE
70Niagara UniversityNiagara University, NY
71Cardinal Stritch UniversityMilwaukee, WI
72Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY
73Dine CollegeTsaile, AZ
74Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont, NC
75National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
76Arizona Christian UniversityGlendale, AZ
77Chadron State CollegeChadron, NE
78Dalton State CollegeDalton, GA
79Rosemont CollegeRosemont, PA
80Indiana University - SoutheastNew Albany, IN
81Winona State UniversityWinona, MN
82University of Puerto Rico - UtuadoUtuado, PR
83Williams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge, AR
84Union Bible CollegeWestfield, IN
85Hastings CollegeHastings, NE
86Taylor UniversityUpland, IN
87LeTourneau UniversityLongview, TX
88Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND
89Northwestern CollegeOrange City, IA
90Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS
RankCollegeLocation
91Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA
92Trinity International University - FloridaMiami, FL
93Wayne State CollegeWayne, NE
94Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA
95United Tribes Technical CollegeBismarck, ND
95Antioch University - SeattleSeattle, WA
97North Central UniversityMinneapolis, MN
98St. Thomas Aquinas CollegeSparkill, NY
99Buffalo StateBuffalo, NY
100Wesleyan CollegeMacon, GA
101Covenant CollegeLookout Mountain, GA
102University of West GeorgiaCarrollton, GA
103Trinity Bible College and Graduate SchoolEllendale, ND
104Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ
105Ottawa University - OttawaOttawa, KS
106Tougaloo CollegeTougaloo, MS
107University of Puerto Rico - PoncePonce, PR
108University of Science and Arts of OklahomaChickasha, OK
108Southwestern Christian UniversityBethany, OK
110Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant, OK
111Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA
112Lubbock Christian UniversityLubbock, TX
113Hawaii Pacific UniversityHonolulu, HI
114Emporia State UniversityEmporia, KS
115The College of New JerseyEwing, NJ
RankCollegeLocation
116University of Missouri - St LouisSaint Louis, MO
117University of Wisconsin - River FallsRiver Falls, WI
118Gordon CollegeWenham, MA
118Emmaus Bible CollegeDubuque, IA
120Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO
121Cazenovia CollegeCazenovia, NY
121York CollegeYork, NE
123Minot State UniversityMinot, ND
124Greenville UniversityGreenville, IL
125William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA
126George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR
127Bushnell UniversityEugene, OR
128Bethany Lutheran CollegeMankato, MN
129University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau, AK
130SUNY FredoniaFredonia, NY
131Northern Oklahoma CollegeTonkawa, OK
132Graceland University - LamoniLamoni, IA
133SUNY New PaltzNew Paltz, NY
134Eureka CollegeEureka, IL
135Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN
136Bethune - Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL
137Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH
138Oglala Lakota CollegeKyle, SD
139Brandman UniversityIrvine, CA
140University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
RankCollegeLocation
141Chaminade University of HonoluluHonolulu, HI
142Mount Marty UniversityYankton, SD
143McPherson CollegeMcPherson, KS
144Bacone CollegeMuskogee, OK
144Alice Lloyd CollegePippa Passes, KY
146Nevada State CollegeHenderson, NV
147Georgia Gwinnett CollegeLawrenceville, GA
148Dakota Wesleyan UniversityMitchell, SD
149Salish Kootenai CollegePablo, MT
150Indiana University - NorthwestGary, IN
151Copiah-Lincoln Community CollegeWesson, MS
152Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN
153University of Minnesota - MorrisMorris, MN
154Maranatha Baptist UniversityWatertown, WI
155Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS
156Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL
157MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe, KS
158Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDover, DE
159Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL
160Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeOwensboro, KY
161Reinhardt UniversityWaleska, GA
162Harding UniversitySearcy, AR
163Peru State CollegePeru, NE
164Calvary UniversityKansas City, MO
164Cairn UniversityLanghorne, PA
RankCollegeLocation
166University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE
167Bethel College - North NewtonNorth Newton, KS
168Turtle Mountain Community CollegeBelcourt, ND
169University of MobileMobile, AL
170Mars Hill UniversityMars Hill, NC
171University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
172Bethany College KansasLindsborg, KS
172American International CollegeSpringfield, MA
174LaGrange CollegeLagrange, GA
175Mercer UniversityMacon, GA
176Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI
177Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth, NH
178Concord UniversityAthens, WV
179Stillman CollegeTuscaloosa, AL
180Bethany College West VirginiaBethany, WV
181Western Governors UniversitySalt Lake City, UT
182Iowa Wesleyan UniversityMount Pleasant, IA

Notes and References

References

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